[Extract]

Sir I had the Honor of recieving your Favour of the 3d Febry at this Place, previous to the Order contained in your Letter, had taken it upon me, Imagining it for the Interest of the Colony to March with part of Capt [Joseph] Stantons Company, that are Equipped to Narregansett Ferry, and have ordered Capt Stanton to March with the Remaind[e]r next Monday. I have the Pleasure to acquaint You that his Company is Full ー Capt [Thomas] Potter's Company has 53 Men Enlisted, but are not Equipped with Arms, nor like to be so soon as I could wish, and must beg that your Honor would write to the Committee to exert themselves in procuring the arms.... Upon my March down here,>I was informed by several Persons that Mr Applin & Dotr Gleason, when Capt Wallace Landed at Point Judith, went and Conversed with Capt. Wallace, without being authoris[ed] by any Officer wich has given vast uneasiness to the good People of this County, upon Examination Mr Applin confessed it was rather Imprudent in him, but his design was to prevent Capt Wallaces Ravaging Mr Nilses House and Distroying his Property. When the Fleet Sailed from Newport Mr Applin pushed from Mr Rowland Robensons. he says that he Imagined they were gowing out in order to meet Admiral Hopkins and he had the Curiosity to see the Engagement. I Observed to him that it was high time for every man to choose his side, and for him to be so over Officious as Twice to have a Conference with Capt Wallace gave great reason to suspect that he was a dangerous Person, and Inimical to the Libertys of America ー Doct Gleason says that he said nothing to Capt Wallace and only spoke to Sam Wickham who is a Person that ran from Newport on Board the Rose, with the Advise of the Attorney General, Coll Brown, Esqr Holden, Mr Jno Potter and Mr Sylvester Gardiner, I ordered them to stay upon Littlerest Hill, upon their Parole 'till your Pleasure could be known, that they might not be upon the Sea-Coast to give Intelligence or converse with any of the Officers of the Kings Navy. When Capt Wallace Fired upon Conanicut, D.o[c]r Gleason went on as he says to assist the Women and Children in gitting off ー I saw him upon Conanicut but he had no Arms ー I believe for their Imprudence, at least in Terrer to others it would be best to continue them there for some time yet ー I Hope this will meet with your Honors Approbation ー I am Sir [&c.]

P.S In Justice to Capt Joseph Stanton, I must say he has taken unwearied pains to Equip the men ー